A refillable container adapted to facilitate the purchase and use of larger volumes of consumer products and the selective discharge thereof. The refillable container includes a refill-discharge cap assembly allowing ease in filling the container while permitting the selective discharge of lesser quantities of substance therefrom. In one embodiment, a refill-discharge cap is threadably connected to a container body portion wherein the refill-discharge cap includes a relatively small orifice for the selective discharge of the contents of the container therefrom.
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1. A three-part refillable container for selectively filling and discharging of select contents, said container comprising:
a cap selectively sealing the select contents of said container within said container, and being formed with threads along an inner surface thereof;
a lid coupled and including an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion comprising
a generally cylindrical discharge portion of a first diameter and being formed with threads along an outer surface thereof and threadably engaged with said threads of said cap and defining a central, open discharge region allowing for the free flowing poured discharge of said select contents, said threads of the upper portion run along the entire length of the upper portion, the lower portion comprising
a generally cylindrical portion of constant second diameter and being formed with threads along an inner surface thereof, and having a substantially planar top lid surface connecting said discharge portion to said cylindrical portion, and
said second diameter being substantially larger an said first diameter for facilitating said selective filling of said container;
a body portion for filling of said body portion with said select contents and including
a mouth portion, said mouth portion including threads along an outer surface thereof for threaded engagement with said lid
said body portion of a third diameter having a cylindrical sidewall for receiving therein and housing the contents of said container directly thereagainst; and
a solid bottom portion for holding said select contents housed directly thereagainst and sealing said select contents therein;
wherein said lid is readily removable by threaded disengagement from said body portion for facilitating the pouring of said contents into said body portion through a substantially enlarged opening of said mouth portion relative to said discharge region opening of said lid, and
wherein said second diameter of said lower portion is equal to said third diameter of said body portion.
2. The refillable container of
3. The refillable container of
5. The refillable container of
6. The refillable container of
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This patent application claims priority from and incorporates by reference the entire disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/275,794, filed on Mar. 14, 2001.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to refillable bottles and, more particularly, but not by the way of limitation, to a refillable bottle having a first dispensing orifice for discharge of the bottle contents therefrom and a second filling orifice of larger size adapted for a receiving substance within the bottle for the filling thereof prior to discharge through the smaller orifice and system of reuse therewith.
2. History of Related Art
It is common in the bottling industry to provide a single size bottle containing various materials including shampoo, cleaning agents, conditioners and the like for use by consumers. Typically these bottles are adapted for a single filling by the manufacturer and subsequent use and disposal by the consumer. Such bottles are generally sufficiently inexpensive to allow them to be disposed of as garbage after discharge of the contents thereof.
The sale of large quantities of consumer products (such as gallon containers or the like) has prompted a need for bottles that may be refillable. For example, shampoo is often sold in large gallon sizes which are inconvenient for routine for use by the consumer. Such consumers typically purchase smaller bottles of the same or similar shampoo, or empty bottles of a generic type, into which a smaller volume of shampoo can be poured. Unfortunately, small bottles typically have but a single orifice and no other means for facilitating the filling thereof from the larger container. In these circumstances, the consumer is often frustrated by spillage of the liquid from the larger bottle which has a tendency to reduce the marketability and/or ease of use of large, economy-size vessels.
Due to the problems set forth above in refillable bottles for consumer products, various innovations have been developed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,725,464 teaches a refillable polyester beverage bottle. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,353 teaches a funnel for use with reusable plastic containers. As set forth herein, the funnel is constructed to be received within the refillable bottle in such a way as to facilitate ease of the refilling step therewith. Other embodiments may be usable within the prior art and adapted to facilitate the reintroduction of various substances into bottles for the convenience of the user. It may be seen, however, that the efficacy of use of such structures would be maximized if the refillable bottle was constructed with a filling aperture larger than the discharge aperture to therein facilitate ease in use by the consumer. The present invention provides such a method and apparatus for consumable product reuse as set forth below.
The present invention relates to refillable vessels. More particularly, one aspect of the invention comprises a bottle having a large “refill” orifice including a large cap at one end and a small “discharge” orifice and cap at either the same or the opposite end.
In one aspect, the present invention relates to the utilization of a vessel having at least two means for filling and discharging substance therein and therefrom. The refill orifice may be in one embodiment, at the bottom of the vessel opposite a smaller discharge orifice at the top. In another embodiment, the discharge orifice can be disposed in conjunction with and as part of the refill cap securing the portion of the bottle relative to the refill orifice.
In another aspect, the present invention allows consumers to easily refill bottles, such as round plastic bottles used for spraying, pouring or the like without the need for pumps or funnels. The bottles of the present invention can be filled from a larger sized container that is offered for refillable dispensing from manufacturers. Larger quantities of products and concentrated products are typically being offered more than ever in grocery stores as well as discount distribution centers. By utilizing the container of the present invention, consumers will be able to refill bottles as small as 2 ounces and as large as any size a company may provide. The bottles of the present invention may be provided for discharge by pouring, by spraying, by pumping and/or other means conventionally known in the industry.
A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present system may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:
It has been observed that consumers use large quantities of disposable products that are often sold in small bottles. When the consumer is finished with the product, the small bottles are typically not easily refillable and are thus thrown away. This creates a significant refuse issue from an environmental standpoint. The present invention addresses this problem and environmental impact considerations by providing a special bottle design incorporating a refillable section thereof in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As set forth below, the refillable vessel of the present invention may have a refillable orifice disposed in a region thereof facilitating use by the consumer for refilling while permitting ease and control of discharge of the contents thereof in accordance with normal consumer expectations.
Referring now to
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The above described embodiments of the invention and the aspects thereof are deemed to be enabling of a man skilled in the art to manufacture and produce such the refillable container of the present invention. The following specificity is, however, provided by the inventor to further illustrate various aspects of the present invention and to provide more specificity relative to the materials from which the present invention may be fabricated and by which the present invention may improve a consumer's ability to purchase larger quantities of products in conjunction with the principles of the present invention.
The new innovative designs allow a consumer to easily refill all round plastic containers, or plastic spray containers without the use of pumps or funnels. The refillable container of the present invention can be refilled from larger sized containers that are offered for refillable dispensing from manufacturers. Larger quantities of products and concentrates are being offered more than ever in grocery stores and stores like Costco, Smart and Final, and others. Consumers will be able to refill containers as small as 2 oz. and as large as any size a company may provide. The spray containers also can be designed to meet any company's request. The new designs are an environmental lifestyle product, that can be made from recycled plastics, H.D.P.E., P.E.T., L.D.P.E., P.P., and P.V.C. plastics. The refillable containers of the present invention are reusable. They will reduce waste, landfills, air pollution, and water. They will save energy by reducing the number of bottles being manufactured.
Manufacturers, consumers and the planet will benefit from this new innovative design of plastic containers and plastic spray containers. Corporations and manufacturers have a responsibility for the environment. When offered refillable containers, consumers can refill their favorite products, like shampoos, conditioners and other hair care products, auto care products, household cleaning agents, as well as any other liquid products a consumer may use. Compromising the quality of life for future generations can be prevented if we begin to do what is best for our planet.
Shapes:
Tops:
Filling:
Bottles are refilled by unscrewing the top of the bottle or sprayer, just under the cap or sprayer. The cap or sprayer itself, does not have to be unscrewed.
By unscrewing the larger portion of the bottle or sprayer, a consumer can easily refill any size bottle or sprayer without the use of funnels or pumps.
When the bottle or sprayer has been filled, the consumers can easily screw on the top portion of the bottle for a secure, tight fit.
Discharging:
Products can be discharged from the following types of caps:
Product is discharged from all caps listed above by squeezing the plastic bottle.
Product is discharged from trigger sprayers, mister sprayers and all other sprayers by squeezing the handle of the sprayer.
Discharging Products from Pumps:
Product is discharged from pumps by pushing the pump down, making the liquid product to come out of the spout on the pump.
Product is discharged from a spout by removing the top cap from the plastic bottle, and then squeezing the plastic bottle.
There are two basic blow molding processes: injection blow molding and extrusion blow molding. The injection blow molding process is similar to injection molding and is limited to smaller sizes of parts than extrusion blow molding. The injection blow molding process produces parts to tight dimensional or weight tolerances that might not be achievable with the extrusion blow molding process. These tight tolerances may be required for some automatic filling applications. Injection blow molding is also used to mold parts out of materials such as PET or polystyrene (PS) which are difficult to mold by the extrusion blow molding process. Injection blow molded parts can be produced without flash or trimming. Some materials produce clearer bottles when injection blow molded. Although tooling is more expensive for injection blow molding, the cycles times are faster than for extrusion blow molding.
Injection Blow Molding:
For injection blow molding, the plastic is melted in an injection molder style extruder and is injected into a steel mold under high pressure to create a pre-form. A core rod forms the interior dimensions of the pre-form, while the steal mold forms the outside dimensions. When the pre-form has cooled sufficiently, the mold opens vertically and the pre-form on the core rod is lifted and rotated to the blow mold. The blow mold, which is usually aluminum, closes on the core rod and pre-form, air is blown through the core rod, and the final shape of the part is formed. Thus, the injection molded details can be obtained on a hollow part which could not otherwise be injection molded. Sometimes a fourth station is used on an injection blow molder for printing or orientation.
Blow Molding:
During the initial stage of this process, the injection stage, the melt is injected into a split parison cavity and around a predetermined core rod. Once the melt is conditioned, the molds open and then rotate 120 degrees to transfer the parison into a split blow mold cavity (blow mold station). Compressed air enters through the core rod, blowing the conditioned parison melt against the blow mold cavity wall. After the material has cooled in the blow mold cavity, the molds open and the finished container is then rotated 120 degrees for transfer to the pick off (eject) station for removal from the core rod.
In the pick off station, bottles are automatically removed from the core rods and fall directly into a shipping carton or are placed in an upright position on a conveyer belt for posthandling.
BOTTLE SIZE
BLOW-MOLDED
INJECTION MOLDED
2 ounce bottle
X
4 ounce bottle
X
8 ounce bottle
X
Spray bottle
X
2 ounce bottle cap
X
4 ounce bottle cap
X
8 ounce bottle cap
X
Spray bottle cap
X
All size bottles are Blow Molded
All size caps are Injection Molded
Referring now to
Sizes:
Referring to
Styles and Shapes:
Still referring to
Styles:
Referring now to
It is thus believed that the operation and construction of the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description. While the method and apparatus shown or described has been characterized as being preferred it will be obvious that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
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